Non-skid protective cloth or pad

ABSTRACT

A two-layer, non-skid protective cloth or pad for use as a painter&#39;s drop cloth or as a protective pad for surfaces such as boat decks, airplane wings or other surfaces where a non-skid pad is essential. The pad has a woven upper member, typically of a cotton canvas-like material, and a lower, resilient member. The two layers are typically stitched together. The lower, resilient member typically comprises downward-projecting dimples, often of two or more different sizes. The dimples are joined by a grid of resilient material. In alternate embodiments, an impervious member may be inserted between the upper and lower members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to protective cloths or pads and, moreparticularly, to a protective cloth or pad that has a non-skid backingto hold the cloth or pad in position during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective cloths and pads are well known and widely used. Such itemsrange from simple thin polyethylene sheets used to protect surfacesduring painting or similar operations to woven fabric drop cloths toquilted protective pads used by furniture movers and the like. Forsimplicity, the term drop cloth as used herein refers to any and allsuch cloths and pads, regardless of material or construction.

In a typical use, drop cloths are placed on floors to provideprotection. A common and serious problem is that frequently the dropcloths of the prior art may slip and slide relative to the floor uponwhich they are laid. Such slippage may range from a mild annoyance to aserious safety hazard when a drop cloth is placed upon a level floor.However, once such a drop cloth is used on a surface other than a levelfloor, the consequences of such slippage become much more serious. Forexample, drop cloths are commonly used to protect stairs. If the dropcloth slips, it is not uncommon for a person ascending or descending thestairs to slip and potentially tumble to the bottom of the stairs.Serious injuries frequently result from such a fall.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Several attempts have been made in the prior art to provide a non-slipsurface for drop cloths and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 152,451for IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-PROOF FABRICS, issued Jun. 17, 1874 to GeorgeM. Allerton discloses a woven woolen cloth having one surface coveredwith a rubber film.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,728,545 for LINEMAN'S BLANKET, issued Sep. 17, 1929 toFred L. Haushalter provides a dielectric structure formed by a rubberinsulating sheet and a fabric backing sheet to prevent stretching of therubber.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,928,943 for MATTRESS PROTECTOR, issued Oct. 3, 1933 toJohn L. McKay teaches a waterproof sheet having eyelets disposed nearits corners. Loops attached to the eyelets are used to secure themattress protector, thereby preventing the slipping pf the mattressprotector on the mattress it is protecting.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,684 for FLOOR COVERING, issued Jan. 6, 1970 to JohnC. Wrightson shows a quilted, three-layer construction having a non-skidbottom layer for use as decorative rug.

Published United States Patent Application No. 2001/0002615 forPROTECTIVE COVER SYSTEM, published Jun. 7, 2001 upon application byReginald Michael Lacross et al. discloses a covering system in which acover constructed of a flexible sheet material is suitable for placementon a floor between a door frame and a room.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,407 for NON-SLIP ABSORBENT ARTICLE, issued Jun. 28,2005 to Earle H. Sherrod et al. shows a multi-layer absorbent articlesuitable for use as a bed pad, a baby changing pad, a table cloth, etc.A non-adhesive, skid-resistant coating is applied to the bottom layer ofthe article.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,961,969, 7,069,607, and 7,137,157, each for ABSORBENTTOWEL WITH PROJECTIONS, issued Nov. 8, 2005, Jul. 4, 2006, and Nov. 21,2006, respectively, to Susan Nichols each provide a towel having a baselayer with raised projections to provide a higher coefficient of staticfriction relative to an external surface relative to other bottomsurfaces common in the prior art.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2006/0162073 forABSORBENT TOWEL WITH PROJECTIONS, published Jul. 27, 2006 uponapplication by Susan Nichols shows a towel having a base layer withraised projections to provide a higher coefficient of static frictionrelative to an external surface relative to other bottom surfaces commonin the prior art.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2007/0220673 for CLOTHINGARTICLE HAVING RAISED PROJECTIONS, published Sep. 27, 2007 uponapplication by Susan Nichols shows a towel having a base layer withraised projections to provide a higher coefficient of static frictionthan the base layer relative to an external surface.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2007/0275209 for NON-SKIDDROP CLOTH, published Nov. 29, 2007 upon application by Anal Netravaliet al. discloses a single layer plastic sheet having raised dimples onone or both sides.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2008/0131680 forABSORBENT NON-SKID DROP CLOTH, published Jun. 5, 2008 upon applicationby Richard James Bliton et al. teaches a multi-layer article having alofted, non-woven layer and a non-skid barrier layer bonded thereto.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0068431 forONE-SIDED TACKY POLYOLEFIN FILM, published Mar. 12, 2009 uponapplication by Martin F. Hoenigmann provides a plastic sheet with atacky surface designed to prevent slippage of the sheet

None of the patents and published patent applications, taken singly, orin any combination are seen to teach or suggest the novel non-skidprotective cloth or pad of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a two-layer,non-skid protective pad for use as a painter's drop cloth or as aprotective pad for surfaces such as boat decks, airplane wings or othersurfaces where a non-skid pad is essential. The pad has a woven uppermember, typically of a cotton canvas-like material, and a lower,resilient member. The two layers are typically stitched together. Thelower, resilient member typically comprises downward-projecting dimples,often of two or more different sizes. The dimples are joined by a gridof resilient material. In alternate embodiments, an impervious membermay be inserted between the upper and lower members.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a protectivecloth or pad that includes a resilient, non-skid surface to preventmovement of the cloth or pad on the surface upon which it is placed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective cloth orpad which is conformable to irregular surfaces such as stairs andremains in position once placed thereupon.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a protectivecloth or pad that has a resilient lower member having a grid of downwardprotruding, interconnected dimples.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a protective cloth orpad having a woven fabric upper member.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a protectivecloth or pad that, optionally, may contain an interposed imperviousmember.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side, elevational, cross-sectional, schematic view of aportion of the non-skid protective cloth or pad in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the resilient layer of the non-skidprotective cloth or pad of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the resilient layer of the non-skidprotective cloth or pad of FIG. 1 but containing an interposedimpervious layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides non-skid protective cloth or pad for avariety of applications.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a side, elevational,cross-sectional, schematic view of a portion of the non-skid protectivecloth or pad in accordance with the invention, generally at referencenumber 100.

Pad 100 has two layers—a woven upper layer 102 and a lower, resilientlayer 104. Woven upper layer 102 is typically an absorbent, woven cottonmaterial such as canvas or another canvas-like material. For purposes ofdisclosure, an 8-ounce material has been chosen. Canvas may be treatedwith a waterproofing material, if desired. Such a treatment, however,renders the upper woven layer 102 non-absorbent which may impair thefunction of upper woven layer 102 to absorb paint or other materialspilled thereupon. It will, however, be recognized by those of skill inthe art that other weight materials may be chosen depending upon thedesired application in which cloth 100 is to be utilized. It willfurther be recognized that woven materials other than cotton may beselected to meet a particular operating circumstance or environment.Consequently, the invention is not limited to the 8-ounce canvas chosenfor purposes of disclosure. Rather the invention covers any suitablematerial and weight.

A lower, resilient layer 104 is bonded to woven upper layer 102,typically by through stitching 112. It will be recognized that methodsand/or materials other than stitching may be utilized to secure upperwoven layer 102 to lower, resilient layer 104. Some possible choicesinclude, but are not limited to adhesive fastening, hook-and-loopfasteners, mechanical fasteners, etc.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, Lower resilient layer 104 has a pluralitydownward-projecting dimples 106 a, 106 b. Dimples 106 a are typicallylarger than dimples 106 b. As shown in FIG. 1, larger dimples 106 a areshown having a greater height than smaller dimples 106 b. In alternateembodiments, larger and smaller dimples 106 a and 106 b, respectively,may have a substantially identical height. In still other embodiments,smaller dimples 106 b may have a height larger than larger dimples 106a.

Dimples 106 a, 106 b are interconnected by resilient web segments 108.An inter-dimples space 110 remains between dimples. As seen in FIG. 1,inter-dimple space is shown schematically to be between a larger dimple106 a and a smaller dimple 106 b. However, inter-dimple space 110 may bebetween any two larger dimples 106 a or between any two smaller dimples106 b as well as between larger dimple 106 a and smaller dimple 106 b asshown for purposes of disclosure.

In operation, cloth 100 is placed on a surface to be protected, notshown, resilient layer 104 towards the surface. Dimples 106 a, 106 bgrip the surface, especially when compressed by the weight of a person,not shown, directly over a particular portion of cloth 100.

One exemplary use of cloth 100 is to protect a surface from paint,varnish, stain, etc. The choice of material for upper woven layer 102allows paint or other material to be at least partially absorbed by thelayer. Unlike impervious drop cloths (i.e., thin plastic sheets), thepartially absorbed paint is typically less prone to tracking by a personstepping in the spilled paint than is paint spilled on a non-absorbingcloth of the prior art. In addition, cloth 100 may be laundered toremove soluble paint or other materials.

Cloth 100 may also be utilized to protect a delicate surface from beingscratched or marred. One environment where cloth 100 is particularlyuseful is on a set of stairs. Once positioned, cloth 100 remains inplace, thereby providing a safe, stable surface on the stairs as workmenascend and descend the stairs. It will be recognized that the choice ofmaterials, weights, thicknesses, etc. will determine the overallflexibility of cloth 100 for applications such as stairs.

An example of the use of cloth 100 as a protective pad, maintenanceroutines periodically require mechanics to walk on the upper surface ofan airplane wing. The use of cloth 100 on the wing not only protects thedelicate wing surface but provides a much more secure surface upon whichthe mechanic may walk or stand. Even though the surface of the wing istypically curved, the novel construction of cloth 100 greatly improvesthe security of the mechanic.

Another exemplary use of cloth 100 is to protect delicate surfaces ofboat decks in an environment where they frequently become wet andslippery. Cloth 100 remains in place on the deck, even wet, and providesa non-slip upper surface (i.e., the upper surface of upper woven layer102) upon which boat passengers may walk. Because cloth 100 typicallylacks an impermeable membrane, air may flow though cloth 100, therebyallowing the cloth and the surface therebelow to dry.

In an alternate embodiment, a third layer, typically an impermeablelayer 114 may be interposed between woven upper layer 102 and resilientlayer 104. This is shown in FIG. 3.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

1. A non-skid protective cloth or pad, consisting of: a) a single,absorbent, plain woven upper layer free from any projecting cut pile andhaving an upper and a lower major surface; b) a single lower, resilientlayer having an upper and a lower major surface, said upper majorsurface of said single lower resilient layer being disposed adjacentsaid lower layer of said single, absorbent, woven upper layer; and c)means for fastening said single, absorbent, upper, woven layer to saidsingle lower resilient layer.
 2. The non-skid protective cloth or pad asrecited in claim 1, wherein said single, absorbent, woven, upper layercomprises a plain woven cotton fabric.
 3. The non-skid protective clothor pad as recited in claim 1, wherein said single, absorbent, woven,upper layer comprises canvas.
 4. The non-skid protective cloth or pad asrecited in claim 1, wherein said single lower, resilient layer comprisesa network of downward projecting dimples interconnected by a resilientgrid.
 5. The non-skid protective cloth or pad as recited in claim 4,wherein said downward projecting dimples comprise dimples of at leasttwo different diameters.
 6. The non-skid protective cloth or pad asrecited in claim 4, wherein said downward projecting dimples comprisedimples of at least two different heights.
 7. The non-skid protectivecloth or pad as recited in claim 4, wherein said downward projectingdimples are separated one from another by an inter-dimple space.
 8. Thenon-skid protective cloth or pad as recited in claim 1, wherein saidmeans for fastening comprises at least one from the group: stitching,adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, and mechanical fasteners. 9-16.(canceled)
 17. A non-skid protective cloth or pad, consisting of: a) asingle, absorbent, plain woven upper layer free from any projecting cutpile and having an upper and a lower major surface; b) a single lower,resilient layer having an upper and a lower major surface, said uppermajor surface of said single lower resilient layer being disposedadjacent said lower layer of said single, absorbent, plain woven upperlayer; c) an impervious member interposed between said single,absorbent, plain woven upper layer and said single lower, resilientmember; d) means for fastening said single, absorbent, upper, wovenlayer to said interposed impervious member and said single lowerresilient layer.
 18. The non-skid protective cloth or pad as recited inclaim 17, wherein said single, absorptive woven, upper layer comprises awoven cotton fabric.
 19. The non-skid protective cloth or pad as recitedin claim 17, wherein said woven, single, absorbent upper layer comprisescanvas.
 20. The non-skid protective cloth or pad as recited in claim 17,wherein said single lower, resilient layer comprises a network ofdownward projecting dimples interconnected by a resilient grid.
 21. Thenon-skid protective cloth or pad as recited in claim 20, wherein saiddownward projecting dimples comprise dimples of at least two differentdiameters.
 22. The non-skid protective cloth or pad as recited in claim20, wherein said downward projecting dimples comprise dimples of atleast two different heights.
 23. The non-skid protective cloth or pad asrecited in claim 20, wherein said downward projecting dimples areseparated one from another by an inter-dimple space.
 24. The non-skidprotective cloth or pad as recited in claim 17, wherein said means forfastening comprises at least one from the group: stitching, adhesive,hook-and-loop fasteners, and mechanical fasteners.